Art Event at the Wegner Grotto County ParkOn Saturday, August 26th the Wegner Grotto County Park will host “Art Outdoors...Click here for more

New Indexes and Updates to MonroeCountyHistory.orgThe Monroe County Local History Room has just added two new indexes and several updates to its award-winning genealogy and local history website, www...Click here for more

Monroe County Newspapers Index

About the Index:
This database contains tens of thousands of news items indexed from newspapers published in Monroe County, Wisconsin, from the 1850s upward (depending on newspaper). Newspapers that have been indexed (to some degree) include:

CR: Cashton Record

ET: Elroy Tribune

KK: Kendall Keystone

MCD: Monroe County Democrat

NS: Norwalk Star

SD: Sparta Democrat

SH: Sparta Herald

SHN: Star Herald News (Norwalk)

TM: Tomah Monitor

TJ: Tomah Journal

WI: Warrens Index

VA: Valley Junction Advocate

VJS: Valley Junction Settler

Indexed articles include birth, death, and marriage notices, and other news items about individuals, families, businesses, disasters, etc. Indexing the county’s newspapers is an ongoing project. Therefore, this database will be updated regularly, so be sure to revisit this page. Please be patient if you notice any obvious typos. We are aware of them and cleaning them up regularly. To increase your chances of finding articles, try searching just the surname and always check spelling variations of the surname

Article Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide a copy of articles indexed in the database for a nominal fee ($2.50 per article). Simply click on “Get Copy of Record” and the name of the person for whom you are requesting an article will be added to the “shopping cart.” Be aware that actual content of the news items indexed in this database range from half-page obituaries to one sentence death notices.

NOTE: We will not send copies of articles requested over email or requests lacking prepayment.

Monroe County Birth Records Index (1850s–1944)

About the Index:
This database is an index of births registered with the Monroe County Register of Deeds that occurred 1850s to 1944. In the early 1900’s, WI started requiring the reporting of all births. By 1907, the laws were strongly enforced and all Wisconsin Counties mark this year as the start for a thorough accounting of the births. Included in this index are births from this time period that are filed in Monroe County’s Miscellaneous Volumes. This index was created by the Monroe-Juneau-Jackson Genealogical Workshop (MJJGW).

Record Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide uncertified copies of birth records indexed in the database for a nominal fee ($5.00 per record). Simply click on “Get Copy of Record” and the name of the person for whom you are requesting a birth record will be added to a “shopping cart.” The copies provided by MCLHR are made from the microfilmed State of Wisconsin copy of Monroe County registered deaths.

Monroe County Marriage Records Index (1854–1968)

About the Index:
This database is an index of marriages registered with the Monroe County Register of Deeds that occurred from 1854 to 1968. In the early 1900’s, WI started requiring the reporting of all marriages. By 1907, the laws were strongly enforced and all Wisconsin Counties mark this year as the start for a thorough accounting of the marriages. Included in this index are marriages from this time period that are filed in Monroe County’s Miscellaneous Volumes. This index was created by the Monroe-Juneau-Jackson Genealogical Workshop (MJJGW).
Record Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide uncertified copies of marriage records indexed in the database for a nominal fee ($5.00 per record). Simply click on “Get Copy of Record” and the name of the person for whom you are requesting a marriage record will be added to a “shopping cart.” The copies provided by MCLHR are made from the microfilmed State of Wisconsin copy of Monroe County registered marriages.

Monroe County Death Records Index (1850s–1968)

About the Index:
This database is an index of deaths registered with the Monroe County Register of Deeds that occurred 1850s to 1968. This index was created by the Monroe-Juneau-Jackson Genealogical Workshop (MJJGW). Always check spelling variations of the surname.

Record Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide uncertified copies of death records dated 1850s – 1907 for a nominal fee ($5.00 per record). Simply click on “Get Copy of Record” and the name of the person for whom you are requesting a death record will be added to a “shopping cart.” The copies provided by MCLHR are made from the microfilmed State of Wisconsin copy of Monroe County registered deaths. Copies of death records dated after 1907 can be obtained by contacting the Monroe County Register of Deeds, Administrative Center, 202 South K St., Rm. 2, Sparta, WI 54656, 608-269-8716, beth.ford@co.monroe.wi.us

Monroe County Mortality Schedule Index (1859-1880)

About the Index:
This database is an index of names and accompanying information listed on mortality schedules from the 1860, 1870, and 1880 US Federal Censuses for Monroe County. A person was listed on a mortality schedule if he or she died within the previous year of when the census was taken, so anytime between June 1 of the year prior to the census thru May 31 of the census year.

Mortality schedule information may be useful, as death records were not required by the State of Wisconsin until 1907. Not all of the information recorded on the mortality schedule is listed in the index. Additional information may include: place of birth, father and mother’s nativity, profession, cause of death, and number of days ill.

These indexes were transcribed off microfilm from the original, hand-written census mortality schedules. Much of the handwriting was difficult to read or illegible, but every effort was taken to transcribe accurately. However, there will be inevitable errors. Sometimes the Census Taker seemed to have spelled out last names phonetically as he heard them. Be sure to consider multiple spelling variations for the surname in which you are interested (eg. Miller, Miler, Mueller, Meller, etc.). Illegible names are identified with a question mark "(?)" in part or in whole.

Mortality Schedule Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide a copy of the census mortality schedule record page listing the information of a given individual for a nominal fee ($5.00 per record). Simply click on “Get Copy of Record” and the name of the person for whom you are requesting a mortality record will be added to the “shopping cart.”

Monroe County Court Records Index (1850s-1970s)

About the Index:
This database is an index of the oldest surviving Monroe County court records. Dates range from the 1850s – 1950s. Includes Civil and County Court cases. Please be patient if you notice any obvious typos. We are aware of them and cleaning them up regularly. Always check spelling variations of the surname.

Article Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide copies of those court cases in its possession (The actual records are housed in two locations the Monroe County Local History Room and the Wisconsin Historical Society Area Research Center in La Crosse, WI.). To request copies of court records, search the Court Record index, click the "get Court Record" box for the court record you wish to have a copy and that court record will be added to a "shopping cart". Mail to us the "Shopping Cart" form. Once we receive your request form, we will inform you if the records you requested are available for copying, and if so, what the copying fee will be (depending on size of file).

Monroe County Census Indexes (1855-1920)

About the Census Indexes:
The following censuses are indexed and posted on this website for researching:

Monroe County Federal Census Indexes

1860

1870

1880

1900

1910

1920

Monroe County State Census Indexes

1855

1875

1885

These indexes were transcribed off microfilm from the original, hand-written censuses. Much of the handwriting was difficult to read or illegible, but every effort was taken to transcribe accurately. However, there will be inevitable errors. Sometimes the Census Taker seemed to have spelled out last names phonetically as he heard them. Be sure to consider multiple spelling variations for the surname in which you are interested (eg. Miller, Miler, Mueller, Meller, etc.). Illegible names are identified with a question mark "(?)" in part or in whole.

Census Page Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide a copy of the census record page listing the information of a given individual for a nominal fee ($5.00 per record). Simply click on “Get Copy of Record” and the name of the person for whom you are requesting a census record will be added to the “shopping cart.”

Note: The information presented in the indexes to the State Censuses is all that is available off the original census. The original state censuses for years indexed here provide no additional information about the names/families listed. These are Head of Household only indexes that provide the total number of people living in a particular household and country of birth for those numbers.

Monroe County Rural School Index (1925-1950)

About the Index:
This database is an index of School Censuses filed in Monroe County for rural schools and village schools (note: City of Sparta and Tomah schools are not indexed here) between 1925-1950. Censuses were taken at the end of the school year. Information recorded for “children between 4 and 20 years” in that district includes name, age, date of birth, parent name, address and gender. School information recorded within the form includes school name, district number, township name, key school board members, and any teachers. School Censuses can be a useful tool to learn an individual’s birth date, residence, siblings, and custodian when otherwise not available. Currently, six years of censuses are indexed here (1925, 1930, 1935, 1940, 1945, 1950).

Record Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide a copy of the school census page listing the information of a given individual for a nominal fee ($5.00 per record). Simply click on “Get Copy of Record” and the name of the person for whom you are requesting a school census record will be added to the “shopping cart.”

Monroe County Church Records Index

About the Index:
This database is an index of entries made in ledger books once kept by Monroe County, Wisconsin churches. The types of church records indexed here include Baptisms, Confirmations, Marriages, and Burial Records as well as Communion Records. Each life event recorded can provide valuable information about the persons involved. Many of the church records were translated from German by Monroe County Local History Room volunteers. Recorded entries may include info about where a person was born, when they came to USA, their spouse, children, extended family, etc. The current Church Records Index contains entries made from ledger books from the following Monroe County churches:

Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Dorset Ridge, Clifton Twp

St. Luke's German Lutheran Church, Glendale Twp

St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Tomah

St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Indian Creek, Clifton Twp

Indexing county church records is an ongoing process; more church records from other county churches will be indexed and added to the website in the future.

Record Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide a copy of the church record page listing the information of a given individual for a nominal fee ($5.00 per record). Simply click on “Get Copy of Record” and the name of the person for whom you are requesting a church record will be added to the “shopping cart.”

Monroe County Poor Farm/Asylum (1884-1953)

About the Index:
This index was drawn from the data contained in 3 volumes donated to the Monroe County Local History Room. The “Register of Inmates of Poor House Monroe County” is a year by year roster of Poor Farm residents from its opening on what is now the grounds of the Rolling Hills Rehabilitation Center in Sparta, Wisconsin on November 1, 1898 through April 24, 1937. The “Record of Inmates of the Monroe County Insane Asylum” is a chronological listing of patient records from the Opening of the Asylum in late March of 1903 through May of 1933. The “Index of Patients Monroe County Asylum” is an alphabetical collection of patient records from the 1903 Asylum opening until the early 1950s.

The data compiled in this index are: First and Last Names, Age, Admission date, Residence (at time of admission), Departure and Page number (in the chronological volumes). Departure include discharge, death transfer, parole and escape (also called “elopement”). In many cases age, residence and departure are not recorded. In the latter case “no discharge entered” will appear in the “Departure” field.

Record Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide a copy of the poor farm/asylum record page listing the information of a given individual for a nominal fee ($5.00 per record). Simply click on “Get Copy of Record” and the name of the person for whom you are requesting a poor farm/asylum record will be added to the “shopping cart.”

Monroe County Cemetery Index (1850s-1980)

About the index:
The Cemetery Index is a listing of all known burials in Monroe County, WI, marked with a headstone as of ca. 1980, or from other sources such as cemetery or burial records. The names have been transcribed from the actual headstones. If a name you are searching for is not in this index, it could mean:

The person died after the index was created (ca. 1980)

There is no extant headstone for this person

Transcriber error

They are not buried in Monroe County

They are buried in Monroe County on private land (like a family farm).

Contact the Local History Room if you need assistance with locating a grave that you believe should be on this index.

Cemetery Record Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide a copy of the cemetery or burial record page listing the information of a given individual for a nominal fee ($5.00 per record). Simply click on “Get Copy of Record” and the name of the person for whom you are requesting a cemetery record will be added to the “shopping cart.”

Civil War Veteran Census Index (1885-1905)

About the Index:
This index contains a listing of Monroe County Civil War Veterans who either served in Wisconsin organizations (ie. regiments) or of other states living in Monroe County. Census years include: 1885, 1890, 1895, 1905.

Census Entry Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide copies of census entries for particular veterans indexed in the database for a nominal fee ($5.00 per page). Simply find your person in the index, and click on “Add Census Record to Cart.” All census entries you wish copies of will be added to a Shopping Cart. To submit your request, print off your Order Form and mail payment to our address.

NOTE: We will not send copies of Census entries requested over email or requests lacking prepayment.

Wisconsin National Guard Lists of Persons Liable for Military Duty from Monroe County, Autumn, 1862

About the Index:
This index contains nearly 2000 names of men living in Monroe County in 1862. These lists contain the names, age, occupation and marital status of men available for military service during the Civil War era.

Document Copying Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide copies of pages from the Civil War Duty list for a nominal fee ($5.00 per item). Simply find your person in the index, click on “Get Copy of Record.” All requested records will be added to a Shopping Cart.

NOTE: We will not send copies requested over email or requests lacking prepayment.

Monroe County World War I Draft Registration Card Index

About the Index:
This database is an index of Monroe County males who registered for the draft during World War I. Researchers can now search the index to discover if a family member registered for the draft between 1917 and 1918. Shortly after the U. S. declared war on Germany during World War I, the Selective Service Act was passed on May 18, 1917, requiring every male living in the U. S. between the ages of 18 and 45 to register for the draft.
While a large number of those who registered for the draft did not end up serving in the military, the records still contain valuable (and often overlooked) information for genealogists. Since the information on the Draft Registration Card was given directly by the individual in question, it is often more reliable than that found in censuses, obituaries, death records, and others whose information was provided second or third hand by a spouse or child.
Not only does the World War I Draft Registration Card list basic information like name, age, birth date, and place of residence, but it will also include birthplace, citizenship status, occupation and employer, marital status, race, and dependent information. The birthplace listed can be of particular importance for finding out where a family came from. Additionally, a Draft Registration Card will provide the registrant’s signature, physical description, and disabilities when applicable. The description can be of particular interest when a photograph is lacking for an individual. Draft registrations taken later in 1917 and 1918 will also list the name and address of the nearest relative—often a parent or spouse—and some will include the father’s birthplace as well..

Record Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide a copy of the WWI Draft Registration Card for a nominal fee ($5.00 per record). Simply click on “Get Copy of Record” and the name of the person for whom you are requesting a church record will be added to the “shopping cart.”

Monroe County Biographical Index (1878-1933)

About the Index:
This database is an index of biographies written for notable Monroe County citizens that were published in 19th and early 20th century books. Biographies from the Lynn and Cressy Post GAR books are personal war sketches describing the individual’s military service during the Civil War. Biographies published in the following books are included in this one master index:

Biographical History of La Crosse, Monroe, & Juneau Counties, 1892

History of Monroe County, 1912

History of Northern Wisconsin, 1881

Sparta Up To Date, 1899

Personal War Sketches, John Lynn Post GAR, Sparta, circa 1900

Personal War Sketches, Henry Cressy Post GAR, Tomah, circa 1900

West Central Wisconsin: A History, 1933

Wisconsin State Atlas (Patrons of), 1878

Article Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide copies of biographies indexed in the database for a nominal fee ($5.00 per bio). Simply find your person in the index, click on “Request Copy.” All bios you wish copies of will be added to a Shopping Cart. To submit your bio request, print off your Order Form and mail payment to our address. Be aware that actual content of the biographies indexed in this database average from one to several paragraphs long.

NOTE: We will not send copies of bios requested over email or requests lacking prepayment.

Monroe County Plat Book Index (1877, 1897, 1915, and 1948)

About the Index:
This database is an index of names found on Monroe County’s two oldest plat books: 1877, 1897, 1915, and 1948. This index lists who owned land in Monroe County and where that land was located.

Plat Book Map Copying Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide copies of township maps from the Plat Books for a nominal fee ($5.00 per listing). Township maps show who owned land, as well as the location of churches, cemeteries, schools, roads, railroads, villages, and geographical features. Simply find your person in the index, click on “Get Copy of Map.” All requested maps will be added to a Shopping Cart. To submit your request, print off your Order Form and mail payment to our address.

NOTE: We will not send copies requested over email or requests lacking prepayment.

Monroe County Historic Business Index

About the Index:
This database is an index of entries transcribed from business and telephone directories published in or for Monroe County, WI. Names and addresses of every county business, organization, and professional enterprise listed in available business directories and telephone books, from 1875 onward (non-inclusive years), are presented here.

Directory Listing Copying Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide copies of pages from directories indexed in the database for a nominal fee ($5.00 per listing). Simply find your person in the index, click on "Get Copy of Listing." All requested listings will be added to a Shopping Cart. To submit your request, print off your Order Form and mail payment to our address. Be aware that the original directory entries provide no additional information about a particular business.

NOTE: We will not send copies requested over email or requests lacking prepayment.

Monroe County Naturalization Records Index (1846-1946)

About the Index:
This database is an index of names transcribed from the Naturalization Records filed in Monroe County, WI (unless otherwise noted). These records include Declarations of Intent, Petitions of Naturalization, and Certificates of Citizenship. Naturalization records may provide a vital link for tracing an ancestor to his or her country of origin and can be a rich source of information about the immigrant and his or her family.

Naturalization Record Copying Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide a copy of the naturalization record listing the information of a given individual for a nominal fee ($5.00 per record). Simply click on “Get Copy of Record” and the name of the person for whom you are requesting a naturalization record will be added to the “shopping cart.”

NOTE: We will not send copies requested over email or requests lacking prepayment.

Monroe County Passport Application Index (1880s-1924)

About the Index:
This database is an index of individuals who resided in Monroe County and applied for a U.S. Passport to travel abroad prior to 1925. Besides names, birthdates, residency and application date information, passport applications often contain additional information including: birthplace, immigration year when applicable, father’s name and birth information, places intending to travel to, physical description, and photograph. Some individuals may have applied for a passport more than once.

Record Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide a copy of the passport application listing the information of a given individual for a nominal fee ($5.00 per record). Simply click on “Get Copy of Record” and the name of the person for whom you are requesting a passport application will be added to the “shopping cart.”

Monroe County Local History Room Archives Index

About the Index:
This database is an index of archival documents and records in the Local History Room collection. Please note that the “Description” field is only limited to 256 characters, and some of the descriptions are cut short. Contact LHR if you would like more information or a copy of a particular item by following the instructions immediately below.

Document Copy Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide copies of requested archival documents as determined on a case by case basis. To request copies of archival records, search the index, click the "Get Copy" button for the item you wish to have a copy of and that item will be added to a "shopping cart". Mail us the completed "Shopping Cart" form. Once we receive your request form, we will inform you if the records you requested are available for copying, and if so, what the copying fee will be (depending on size and condition of record file).

Photo Index

About the Index:
The Monroe County Local History Room contains over 13,000 historic images of people, buildings, places, and events in Monroe County’s history. A selection of those images are available to view here. Professional photographic reproduction services of images in our historic image archives is available. Simply search for an image, add that image to your “Cart”, and send in your invoice with prepayment. Professional reproductions will arrive at your door in 2 –3 weeks.